Getting Lots of Practice

Last week, my in-laws had something happen to them that no one wants to go through - their hours caught on fire. We are so, so thankful that no one was hurt!! But the house is now ruined, and it is going to take months to repair (they're projecting November, but there are still insurance hoops to jump through and decisions to be made, so who knows?!). We live only 8 miles from them, so we were blessed to be able to open our home to them for a little while until they can get settled a little more permanently.

Did I mention that my brother and sister-in-law have 6 children?! So my house has been full - 4 adults and 11 children total - for over a week now! Of course, my brother-in-law has been at work all week, and my sister-in-law has been at their old house dealing with clean up and insurance stuff. So I've been having my own little brood of 10 children to take care of (my littlest nephew is only 3 months old, so he stays with mama, of course!), all by myself!

At first it was a little overwhelming, and then Michael said something that put it all into perspective for me - he said "Hey, this could actually BE us one day, with 10 children running around!" That made me realize that this is actually a wonderful "practice" time for me! That change in perspective has really helped me see the joy and fun there is to be found among the noise and constant motion my house has been full of.

And you know what? We're making it! Of course, it helps that my nieces and nephews are well behaved and respectful (another reason to train your children well, you never know when someone else might need to care for them!). We're not getting a lick of schoolwork done, but relationships are being forged and deepened that we'll share for a lifetime. And I have to say that the idea of having #6, which just a few weeks ago was frighteningly overwhelming to me, is no longer intimidating at all.

A few things I'm learning about large family life:

• Organization really is key. When 10 little people come up and say "I'm hungry" at the same time, there's no "lets dig in the fridge and see what we can come up with" - there's got to be a plan and enough food on hand to fill that plan!


• Laughter, smiles, and patience go a lonnnnggg way. When water has been spilled for the 8th time in 4 hours, and all of the kitchen rags are dirty - its not the end of the world! It just isn't! Use a bath towel and start a load of laundry, stat!


• Plans are good, but flexibility is just as important. My "plans" for this week were to buckle down and finish the last of our 180 days required for school. That isn't happening. But better things are! And there's time ahead to finish those days.


• Asking for help is a good thing. I have a fiercely independent spirit (often to my own detriment), but when this many people are relying on you, its ok to say "help!". Or "pick up some bread at the store, please!" to whoever is leaving the house.


• Sometimes an afternoon movie is a blessing ;-) Especially when mama's in the first trimester and 3 kids are napping and the rest are restless and its too hot to play outside. The TV should no be a babysitter, but can definitely be used as a tool!

One other important thing that has really stood out to me during this time is how much housekeeping really is a ministry. People will say it, and I sort of "got it" before, but now I really see how true it is. It was such a blessing that I had clean linens and towels, folded and put away, ready for guest use at the drop of a hat. Having the chore routines (mine and the boys') in place and running smoothly has really helped keep up on the craziness that 15 people in one house can naturally produce. I've also noticed areas that I need to work on for my house to be more hospitable in case of emergencies (for example, keeping foods better stocked). All in all, its been a blessing to learn what it really means to minister to others from within my home!

Please keep my in-laws in your prayers as they go through this stressful time of getting their home restored!